St. Landry democrat., 1887-06-11
RUGS AND MATING.
Luxury and Simplicity Combined with
Economy by Good Taste.

A noticeable fact in modern house fur
nishing is that while in one direction greater
luxury is sought than ever before, in another
corresponding simplicity is studied. 1t is as
easy for the man in moderate circumstances
to surround himself with dainty and artistic
belongings as it is for the millionaire o pur-
sue the same course on a larger scale. Cheap
ness and uglinesS are no longer synonymous.
The time has gone by when purchaser hadto
take his choice between costly velvet Or
body Brussels carpet and loW-prced and
glaring tapestry or ingram.
1t is not only out of the power of every
one to possess floors laid IN the natural
woods, but in homes where there ire many
children and few servants the amount of
cleaning and rubbing required to keep the
polished surface in proper condition entails
q heavy burden of labor upon mistress and
maids. There is less of this demanded for
painted boards, and these are much more
easily procured. In old houses there are
frequently wide cracks between the planks
and these must be filled with putty before
the paint is applied. New houses are better
built in this respect, and there are few and
lords who object to having the floors either
painted or stained. In an apartment like
dining-room, where there will be a large rug
laid down in the centre, there is really no
advantage gained by having more than a
wide border colored. The attempt to imi-
tate hard wood, either by granting or paint
ing in stripes, results in such hollow pre-
tense that it is far wiser to choose some plaln
dark tint, or perhaps two shades, and let the
thing appear for what it reallyls.
The variety of rugs from which one may
choose is wide, even when excluding the
real Persian and Turkish ones, which are
bevOnd the purses Of most people. The
J SMYRNA rugs manufactured in Philadelphia,
are too we'll and favOrably known to need
much comment but the large sizes Ill this
make are not cheap, although their dura-
bilitv makes them well worth the purchase.
An excellent substitute may be made by
buying the plain ingram filling, sewing It
/ into a square of the dimensions desired, and
surrounding it with border to match.
When, for any reason a bare floor with
rugs is out of the question, the next best
thing is mating. Mating comes in SO many
has a liberal field for selection. Its exceed
ing cheapness argues nothing against Its last
| ing qualities, for it wears quite as long as al
ordinary carpet. 1t is easily kept clean. fol
the dirt lies on top and can be brushed OFT IN
stead of becoming ground into the fabric, as
isthe case with carpets. AS 1T grows dlngN
it NAV be freshened wonderfully by wlpins
it with cloth dampened in salt and water
1t may be turned and cut to fit any room
without the trouble of ripping apart and sew
ing the breadths together again.
Mating may not be the best floor covering
for hall where the constant" "trampng bacl
and forth is apt to break the straw and wea
it in spots Nor can it be recommended 70
use in the dining-room unless protected un
der the table by a rug or drugget. Thepush
ing back of heavy chairs soon leaves its mari
even on the stoutest carpet. and mating can
not stand such rough usage. But i'll parlors
sitting-rooms and especially in sleepln;
apartments it is far preferable to a carpet
In the bed chambers small rugs laid by tn
bed. bureau and washstand are all that
really needed, even for delicate people VIII
dread to have their feet come into contac
with the cold surface. In the other room
larger rugs may be placed where 1t seem
best, by fireplace, sofa or sewing chair.
Mating is in thorough harmony with tn
present style OF cottage plenishings.. 1t is II
keeping with scrm and Madras draperies
wicker and Fayal chairs, bamboo easels an
screens and the many other light, easily
moved articles that are supersedlng the ele
phantine upholstered furniture that wa
', once thought ''the thing Students {
household science are beg inning to percelv
! that elegance and economy are not 1ncor
sistent and that it does not require tortun
to render home not only cOzy and pretty
but even artistic-Christine Terhune Herrict
He Was Posted.
= Fair Euuestrienne-You seem to know
great deal about married life, sir. Are 70